Howard C. Smith | isiphotos.net

Casey Nogueira is a three-time NCAA Champion with UNC and has won Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors at the past two College Cups.

As part of a series of interviews with potential 2010 WPS Draft picks, Women’s Professional Soccer caught-up with Casey Nogueira who is fresh off a NCAA Championship win. Nogueira is a three-time NCAA Champion with UNC and has won Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors at the past two College Cups. However, Nogueira is still quite modest when it comes to her draft potential, her thoughts on such a successful college career and where her future in soccer may lead. 

WPS: What emotions come with knowing you have the chance to continue your soccer career at the professional level in WPS, an opportunity several female players in the past have not had?
 
Nogueira: I feel very blessed to possibly be able to continue my soccer career here in the United States. I know that in the past couple years a lot of players have had to go across seas to find good competition.  I am also very excited to have the opportunity to play with some of the best players in the world, both from the U.S. and the top women’s soccer countries from around the world.
 
WPS: What are your expectations for the 2010 WPS Draft? Any predictions as to where and when you may go in the selection process?
 
Nogueira: I just hope to be drafted.  I don’t have a preference or a prediction as to where I might go.  I am just excited that we have the opportunity to play soccer professionally after college, which was not possible for so many years.
 
WPS: Few leave college with one NCAA Championship, but you leave with three. What does this type of accomplishment feel like?
 
Nogueira: I am blessed to have become such great friends and gotten to play with such great players over the past four years, so I am very thankful.
 
WPS: You finished your college career as the Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the 2009 College Cup. With this kind of success in college, what do you hope your continued career in WPS will bring?
 
Nogueira: I hope to keep getting better and improving in my game and learn from some of the great players in the league.
 
WPS: The 2009 WPS season saw new and old talent shine. Which defender do you foresee giving you the most trouble on the frontlines in 2010?
 
Nogueira: I think any defender in the pro league will be a challenge because they are all very good, especially the players on a national team, and that becomes apparent every time I train with and against them.
 
WPS: Looking ahead to the 2010 WPS season, which players coming out of your college class do you think will have the most success at the professional level?
 
Nogueira: I honestly think all of the players I’ve played with or against will play awesome because they are great players that love to play the game and they all bring different and unique qualities.
 
The 2010 WPS Draft takes place on Friday, January 15 at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia.  Follow WPS’s Twitter, http://twitter.com/womensprosoccer, for all of the latest draft news including full draft-day coverage.